Syllabus Outline for Level b1 ESL Learners

Syllabus for CEFR B1 Level Non-Native English Learners (Writing and Speaking) - One Semester:

  1. Course Overview:
  • Introduction to the course objectives, structure, and expectations.
  • Explanation of the CEFR B1 level and its learning outcomes.
  1. Speaking Skills:Week 1-4:
  • Introduction to speaking strategies and effective communication techniques.
  • Developing vocabulary and expressions for everyday conversations.
  • Role-plays and simulations to practice real-life speaking situations.
  • Giving presentations on familiar topics.
  1. Writing Skills:Week 5-8:
  • Introduction to the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, and editing.
  • Developing paragraph structure and coherence.
  • Practicing sentence variety and appropriate language use.
  • Writing personal narratives and descriptive essays.
  1. Speaking Skills:Week 9-12:
  • Building on previous speaking skills with a focus on accuracy and fluency.
  • Discussing and debating current issues.
  • Practicing giving opinions and supporting arguments.
  • Conducting interviews and group discussions.
  1. Writing Skills:Week 13-16:
  • Developing academic writing skills: essays, reports, and formal letters.
  • Research skills and integrating sources.
  • Enhancing grammar accuracy and vocabulary range.
  • Peer review and revision exercises.
  1. Speaking and Writing Integration:Week 17-18:
  • Integrated speaking and writing tasks.
  • Presenting and defending arguments in a debate.
  • Writing and delivering persuasive speeches.
  • Final project: a written and spoken presentation on a chosen topic.

Certainly! Here's an elaboration on "Introduction to speaking strategies and effective communication techniques" for a CEFR B1 level non-native English learners class:

In this module, students will learn various strategies and techniques to improve their speaking skills and enhance their overall communication abilities. The focus will be on practical approaches that can be applied in real-life situations. The following topics will be covered:

  1. Conversation Openers and Small Talk: Students will learn how to initiate and maintain conversations in social and professional settings. They will practice using appropriate greetings, introducing themselves, and engaging in small talk to establish rapport.
  2. Active Listening: Students will develop active listening skills, including techniques such as paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback. They will learn to listen for specific information, comprehend main ideas, and understand nuances in spoken language.
  3. Nonverbal Communication: Students will explore the importance of nonverbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures, in effective communication. They will learn how to use and interpret nonverbal signals to enhance their spoken messages and better understand others.
  4. Pronunciation and Intonation: Students will work on improving their pronunciation, intonation, and stress patterns. They will practice correct pronunciation of individual sounds, word stress, sentence rhythm, and intonation patterns to sound more natural and be easily understood.
  5. Expressing Opinions and Giving Feedback: Students will learn how to express their opinions, agree or disagree politely, and support their arguments with reasons and examples. They will also practice giving constructive feedback to others' ideas and contributions.
  6. Turn-Taking and Conversation Management: Students will develop skills for managing conversations, including turn-taking, interrupting politely, and signaling agreement or disagreement. They will learn to maintain balanced participation in group discussions and engage in effective dialogue.
  7. Presentation Skills: Students will acquire techniques for delivering effective presentations. They will learn to structure their presentations, use visual aids appropriately, and engage the audience through clear delivery and effective body language.

Throughout the module, students will engage in various speaking activities such as role-plays, discussions, debates, and presentations to practice and reinforce the speaking strategies and communication techniques covered. They will receive feedback and guidance to help them improve their speaking skills and build confidence in expressing themselves in English.